So I’m not loved by all…

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I found out today that one of my co-workers reported me as being, “incompetent and having lazy work habits.”

4 years ago, that would have devastated me. Now, it makes me chuckle a bit, but ultimately feel bad for that person. Over my career working for this school district (a bit over 7 years now), I’ve seen all kinds of folks. The ones that blame others for things tend to be the least happy. In fact, it’s rare to find someone that has any real joy in their work anymore, at least in the school. There are a few, but they’re definitely the minority.

Also, it turns out I am competent, and I have a great work ethic. I do have poor organizational skills, but that’s why we recently hired an assistant for me that is great with organization. I think administration folks like myself tend to be the focus of anger quite often. It’s easier to be mad at someone else than to admit responsibility yourself.

Anyway, I hope you all are doing well. It turns out I have walking pneumonia, and will be able to return to work on Friday. Yay!

Sick

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I’m sick. It’s an interesting kinda sick too. I had a backache yesterday, which I assumed was because I’m slightly overweight and getting older — but it turns out it was a precursor to this icky funk I’m in now.

My back feels a little better, but this morning I feel like I’ve been avoiding the doctor for a week. I’ve never felt so miserable so quickly. Anyway, the doctor says I have a virus, and a really contagious one at that. I’m quarantined away from everyone, including my family. So here I am. In my writing room. Alone.

Have a good day everyone! I’ll try to do the same.

UPDATE: Donna called the doctor back to find out how long I’m on quarantine. AT LEAST 3 DAYS!!! What do I have, ebola or something?!?!

NotYourBuntu

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With all the different spin offs from Ubuntu Linux, I thought I’d spin my own version, and make it available to everyone.

My version is a little different (aren’t they all?) — in that it will only work for me. That’s right, it’s “Not-Your-Buntu.” Since it’s Linux, and since I didn’t think there were enough different Ubuntus out there, it only makes sense for me to release it for everyone to enjoy, right?

Why choose NotYourBuntu? Well, if you’re me, it works incredibly well. It make old hardware perform like a new 8-core Macintosh, and the graphics are incredible. In fact, it will even play DVDs you don’t own! Just type in the name Just say the name of the movie you want to watch, and NotYourBuntu will retrieve the video in real time, even if you’re on dialup. It will also download all your favorite television shows automatically, and wirelessly broadcast them to your television!!! Even if you don’t have a television!!!

NotYourBuntu is an Ubuntu clone like no other. It’s too bad you’re not me, because NotYourBuntu is the fastest, sleekest, awesomest, most bestest-est Linux version ever created. I’ve also used a revolutionary compression scheme that makes NotYourBuntu fit easily on a floppy disk.

Download the full version HERE. (Please note, unless you’re Shawn Powers, and have the super secret password, NotYourBuntu won’t extract and install)

Enjoy NotYourBuntu!

UPDATE: I removed the link to the “distro” because it was really just a password protected zip file with a text file inside. The text file said something along the lines of, “Look, it was just a joke…” A password protected zip file is something that drives me batty though, so I figured I’d just get rid of it. 🙂

Ah, bitter irony

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I’m that guy that notices grammar problems. You know, the little ones that really don’t mean a whole lot in the big picture. Yeah, I’m annoying.

The ironic part is that I submitted the final draft of the article I’m writing for Linux Journal. I had a professional review it for me. I edited it myself. I read it out loud to my poor wife (who graciously listened). Tragically, somewhere between copy and paste, (3) grammatical errors slipped in!!! And I already submitted the final draft!!!

Oh cruel fate, how you mock me…

Back from the retreat!

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What a great 3 days! We’re all pretty tired, but everyone is home safe and sound. Here’s a little video snippet. I have the yellow balloon.

(If you watch close, I almost pass out!)

[flv:http://trunkboy.googlepages.com/helium_guys.flv 400 300]

Hiatus

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I’ve had more than a 3 day gap in posts before, but for the next 3 days I’ll have a reason. Or excuse. Or something.

Donna and I are going with the youth group to lead a retreat. It’s in a beautiful camp located on 6.5 miles of Lake Huron waterfront. The forecast calls for rain and snow, but it will still be gorgeous.

Signing off until Wednesday night!

Ficlets

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I didn’t really like the idea of Ficlets when I first read about them on John Scalzi’s blog. Basically, you write a VERY short story, and others can add on the end (or beginning) of it, and make a big lego-like story. I thought it was odd, and didn’t write a ficlet for a long time.

I recently wrote a few myself, and I have to admit, it’s really fun. The one thing I’ve noticed about the site though, is there there are a lot of people in the world that are really bad writers! I’m not saying I’m Ernest Hemingway, but some are really bad.

Anyway, stop by and check it out. It’s very different from blog writing, and that alone is a good reason to try it.

Query Accepted!

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It’s very possible the editors at Linux Journal will read this post, and validate their concerns that I’m not a professional writer. I guess that’s OK, because I certainly never claimed to be so. 🙂

A few weeks ago, I sent a query letter to Linux Journal regarding an article I’d like to write for them. I won’t go into any detail regarding the content, because it might be breaching some contract if I do. Anyway, I heard back from them, and they wish for me to write the article! I even have a deadline, which for some reason makes it feel more like the real deal.

They’re under no contract to publish the article, because for all they know I might be a horrible writer that had his wife write the query letter. Nonetheless, they asked for the article, so you can bet your boots I’m writing it.

Another cool part? If they publish it, I actually get money for writing! I have no idea if I’m allowed to discuss the amount publicly, but rest assured, it’ll buy a whole bunch of Diet Coke!

Wish me luck everyone, I’m more excited than I care to admit. 🙂

Incoming Subspace Signal

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OK, I’m waaaay too proud of this ringtone, but I made it from television show clips, and think it is awesome. It’s an MP3 (Razr Compatible) file of the Enterprise computer from TNG saying, “Incoming subspace signal…”

I’ve gotten so many comments from people about it, that I wanted to put it here for everyone to download. So here’s for all the search engines to pick up on this post:

Free Star Trek Ringtone. Download for free. MP3 Star Trek TNG ringtone. Get it while it’s hot!

UPDATE: Here’s an iPhone ringtone version too. 🙂

Awesome Wife Have I

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You know what we’re doing this fine Tuesday evening? We’re watching old episodes of Star Trek the Next Generation. That’s right, I said we are watching it!

Donna is the coolest wife in the world. I think that her not being a die hard trekkie, yet still enjoying watching it with me makes her super cool. She’s the woman that isn’t a geek (thus she retains her cool status), but loves ME enough to watch, and even enjoy, Star Trek episodes with me.

You know you’re jealous. 🙂